AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Trust me,” she says, placing them on the ground in front of me and handing both Kristle and me a spear. I slip my feet into the sandals, glaring at Gen and Kristle the entire time. Are they playing some kind of joke on me? They’re lucky these shoes are open-toed, or they would just have to deal with it.
“Okay, what is going on?” I ask, unable to keep quiet any longer.
“We will explain when we get to Narissa,” Kristle explains, her blue eyes pleading with me to shut my mouth. The sound of male voices nearby surprises me, and I turn toward them. “Maybe I won’t have a chance to.” She steps forward, taking the lead as Gen and I follow.
“Any luck tonight, girls?” As we pass by the group of five, one of the men calls out to us.
“Nope,” Kristle responds, flashing them a brilliant smile. “Thought I saw a splash, but it was just a fish.”
“Are you sure?” Another man asks this question. He looks to be the youngest of the group but is still in his late twenties.
“We’re sure,” she responds, her voice hard even though the smile is still on her face. The boy’s shoulders slump. “Maybe you’ll have better luck.”
“Be safe,” Genevieve calls back to them as we resume walking.
“Wha—” I begin, but they both shush me immediately. Kristle cuts her eyes to the men behind us without turning and pulls me forward.
Okay. This is getting scary now.
We weave through the path leading us to a small parking lot and paved road. We do not see a single soul as we make our way toward their home, and none of us say a word. I start to worry again when a sprawling neighborhood comes into view, but then I remember that I have a spear in my hand and can protect myself.
Being alone in a strange place is concerning, but I am no longer helpless. After the years I spent in the facility, I decided I was done being a victim. I am not a natural fighter, but Breanne and Rayne have made sure I stand a chance against anyone who tries to hurt me.
After more than an hour of walking, the road winds back toward the water. We are so close now that I can hear the waves crashing against the shore. It’s when Kristle walks up to a large house that backs onto the beach, that I cannot contain my frustration.
“We could have just?—"
“Shh,” she hisses. Her hand darts out, pointing to the sandy shoreline. At first, I don’t see anything. The longer I look, the more people I see walking along the shore, each with a spear or a gun in hand.
Before I can understand what I’ve seen, I am ushered inside. Genevieve hardly gets her foot in the door before she slams it closed behind her and secures the multiple locks.
“Who is this?”
I spin to follow the voice and find an older woman surrounded by five more waiting for us in the hallway. The one who spoke has the same pale pink hair as Kristle, and I can only assume they are close relations.
“I’m Pearl,” I say, stepping forward with a dip of my chin to greet the woman who I can only assume is their pod mother.
“I’m Narissa,” she states, a proud smile on her face after my greeting. “The two next to me are my sisters, Kelda and Marea.” Each one gives a little wave as Narissa says their name. Kelda’s hair is a deep red, and Marea’s hair is a shade of red that is closer to orange.
“It is nice to meet you,” I respond, once again dipping my chin slightly, showing them the respect they deserve as the matriarchs of this pod.
“Left to right, you have Autumn, Summer, and Spring.”
It is common for sea nymphs to prize family above all else, and thorough introductions are expected. Still, I am thankful when Kristle steps up to whisper in my ear.
“Their hair helps. Autumn is mostly red; Spring is green, and Summer has the purple color.”
“These sweet children are Cordelia and Coral.”
Narissa places a hand lovingly on each girl’s shoulder. They are teenagers, nearer to adults than children, but I know a matriarch’s desire to let her young ones be young as long aspossible. Cordelia’s hair is a pretty blue color, but Coral’s is a bright red that will be easy to remember.
“Of course, you already know Kristle, my daughter, and Genevieve, my niece.” Narissa gestures to the women standing next to me. “My other niece, Winter, has just stepped out. She went to the store with her mate.”
“Her mate?” I question, looking between the members of this small group. “I didn’t think there were any males here.”
Narissa eyes me warily for the first time since I walked into the house.
“Obviously, you were mistaken.”
